Mechanical tow line regulation system for an airborne towed aerobody

Abstract

A mechanical regulation system for controlling tow line payout between the aerobody and a towing vehicle. The system comprises a housing, a nonrotating spool, and a tow line wound around the spool that is coupled between the aerobody and the vehicle. The regulation portion of the present system comprises a rotatable wedge-shaped tube, having the tow line wrapped around it. A rotatable mechanical regulator is slidably coupled to the wedge-shaped tube. The regulator is adapted to rotate with the tube and move transversely along the length of the tube as the tow line is removed from the spool. A brake mechanism is provided as part of the regulator, and a brake drum is disposed adjacent the periphery of the regulator that is contacted by the brake mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mechanical regulation system for use in airborne tow line payout between a towed aerobody and a towing vehicle, said system comprising: a housing;   a nonrotating member disposed in the housing;   a tow line wound around the nonrotating member and coupled between the towed aerobody and the towing vehicle;   a rotatable wedge-shaped tube disposed in the housing;   a rotatable mechanical regulator slidably coupled to the rotatable wedge-shaped tube that is adapted to rotate with the tube and move transversely along the length of the tube as the tow line is removed from the nonrotating member;   a brake mechanism disposed in the rotatable mechanical regulator; and   a brake drum disposed around the periphery of the rotatable mechanical regulator that is adapted to be contacted by the brake mechanism.   
     
     
       2. The mechanical regulation system of claim 1 further comprising: a spring piston disposed within the wedge-shaped tube and wherein the regulator and wedge-shaped tube are adapted to rotate around the spring piston.   
     
     
       3. The system of claim 1 wherein the wedge-shaped tube comprises a hollow cylinder with ribs that run the length of the tube, and wherein the ribs are tapered to form wedges, and the wedges become wider at an end of the tube distal from the aerobody. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 1 wherein the regulator comprises a central hub having a plurality of arms radiating outwardly and wherein the arms have slots cut into them that are disposed generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the regulator, and wherein each slot comprises a weight that contacts the wedge-shaped tube, a brake pad disposed adjacent the brake drum, and a spring disposed between the weight and brake pad. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 1 wherein the brake drum has a fine continuous spiral thread cut into an inside surface there, and wherein the brake pads are adapted to ride on the spiral thread to assist in controlling the rate of rotation of the regulator. 
     
     
       6. The system of claim 1 wherein the transverse movement of the regulator along the wedge-shaped tube maintains a desired distance between the regulator and the tow line and controls the speed of the regulator as the stowed height of the tow line is reduced due to payout thereof.